Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress rematch 80 percent likely

THERE is an 80 percent chance of a much-awaited rematch between Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress in next Friday’s Group 1 NZ free-for-all.

While all the focus is rightly around Tuesday’s iconic NZ Cup, the free-for-all could snatch the “race of the week” tag if the two best pacers in the world meet for a third time with the scoreline at 1-1.

It’s a given Captains Mistress will head to the 1980m mobile race off the back of her record-breaking Kaikoura Cup win last Monday.

So, the question is whether Leap To Fame backs up from the Cup.

“The intention is to run,” trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. “We’re here and there’s no reason not to run, as long as he comes through the Cup well.

“That’s the key, we’ll get him off after the Cup, assess it all and make a decision Wednesday morning if we push ahead to the free-for-all.”

Asked whether Captains Mistress’ presence would play a part in the decision, Dixon said: “No, it’ll purely come down to whether we think ‘Larry’ will be at his best if we back him up.”

Dixon conceded the conditions of the free-for-all suited Captains Mistress.

“She’s got that edge on us with gate speed, so the barriers will be important,” he said.

What a scenario it would be if Leap To Fame wins his first Go Media NZ Cup and then backs up three days later for round three against his newest and biggest arch-rival.

Captains Mistress’ driver Cam Hart hopes the rematch is a goer.

“These are the races we all want and there’s no bigger buzz being part of them,” he said.

“It would be fascinating to have them clash again. There’s a few things in her favour in a race like this (free-for-all) and you need everything you can against a horse like Leap To Fame.”

Fans have been itching for a rematch since that epic Brisbane Inter Dominion final when Captains Mistress utilized  better barrier to deny Leap To Fame a third Inter Dominion.

Dixon was in awe of Leap To Fame’s run in defeat.

“I think it’s as good as he’s ever gone,” he said.

Their only other clash came in the Miracle Mile back on March 14 when Leap To Fame, but Captains Mistress finished a desperately unlucky fifth after being held-up at a crucial stage.

 

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia